Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Into UC Berkeley Dorm, Causes Gas Leak

BERKELEY (CBS SF) — A suspected DUI driver plowed into a dorm room at the University of California at Berkeley early Wednesday morning, causing a gas leak, according to fire officials.

A 22-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and hit and run, according to UC Berkeley Police.

Berkeley fire officials responded to a report of a car into a dorm room shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday morning at the intersection of College Ave and Channing Way.

KCBS’ Holly Quan Reports:

The crash severed a natural gas line, and the six-story building was evacuated while Pacific Gas and Electric crews shut off the line.

The car hit a gas meter at 2345 College Ave and PG&E shut off the building’s gas around 3:35 a.m., PG&E spokeswoman Jana Morris said.

“There will be inspections done and once completed, gas will be turned back on,” Morris said.

UC Berkeley Police Capt. Steve Roderick said the 22-year-old who left the scene after the crash called his father, who was the registered owner of the car. The father then came to the crash scene and told police his son had been driving the car at the time of the crash, according to Roderick.

The father then took his son to UC Berkeley Police headquarters where he was booked on suspicion of DUI and hit and run, said Roderick.

UC Berkeley Police said nobody was injured in the accident.

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